delos excursions mykonos

Visiting Delos from Mykonos

Greece › Mykonos › Delos Tours Updated: September 26, 2022 By Santorini Dave

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The Stone Lions of Delos. A guided tour to Delos is one of the highlights of a Mykonos visit.

The 3 Best Delos Tours from Mykonos for 2023 Guided Boat Tour to Delos Excellent tour of Delos with professional guide. The tour leaves from the Old Port in Mykonos Town but if you’re staying outside of Mykonos Town or at one of the beaches then select with Hotel Transfer as it makes the day much easier. There’s also a semi-private tour for groups of 2 to 10 – select Private Group Guided Tour for this option. Boat Tour to Delos and Rhenia Island This is a great tour for those who would like to see Delos, but don’t want to spend hours there. It takes you to beautiful Rhenia island for swimming, snorkeling, and a bbq lunch (onboard). Then to Delos for a short, guided tour when the island is usually much quieter than in the morning. Highly recommended. Guided Delos Tour from Cruise Ship Port If you’re on a cruise and have a limited amount of time, this Delos tour offers pickup and dropoff at the cruise ship port in Mykonos. Delos, Greece In ancient times, Delos was the most important island in the southern Aegean. The Cyclades island group actually gets its name from the fact that the islands form a circle around Delos. Mykonos, by comparison, was considered poor with limited agricultural prospects. A holy island, Delos is the mythical birthplace of Artemis and Apollo, and women were once forbidden from giving birth there; instead, women were ferried to Mykonos for the labor and delivery of their children.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site on the small island of Delos is one of the best-preserved and most important archaeological sites in Greece. First settled by the Greeks around 3000 BC, the island became a shrine to Apollo around 800 BC and a thriving, multicultural center of trade in the centuries that followed, with Syrians and Egyptians adding shrines of their homeland gods to the existing Greek ones. Under the Romans, Delos became a duty-free port and important slave market, but the island’s importance diminished as trade routes shifted and by 300 AD the island was languishing in obscurity, used as a hideout by pirates. Delos is accessible by boat from Mykonos. Use your imagination to transform these extensive, well-preserved ruins into the gleaming city that once stood here. As you make your way around the ruins from the Sacred Harbor, where the tour boats dock, sights not to miss include the Sanctuary of Apollo, lined with the remains of three temples dedicated to the god, the Artemision – a sanctuary of Artemis, Apollo’s twin sister, and the Terrace of Lions, lined with the much-photographed replica lion statues. (The actual lions can be found within the site’s small but interesting museum, located near the center of the island.) Nearby is the overgrown Sacred Lake where Leto gave birth to Apollo and Artemis after hiding from the wrath of Hera, Zeus’ wife, Zeus being the twins’ father. In the Theater Quarter, formerly home to Delos’ wealthiest inhabitants, spot the mosaic depicting the wine god Dionysos riding a panther at the House of Dionysos, and another superb mosaic featuring lions, dolphins and griffins at the House of Dolphins. If you have time, it’s well worth climbing Mt Mynthos for great views of the surrounding islands and to visit the Sanctuaries of Zeus and Athena.

The boat pier on Delos where tours dock and depart from.

Visiting Delos from Mykonos There are generally four boats daily from Mykonos Town (Chora) to Delos during high season, with departures from 9am to 5pm. Return boats run between 12.15pm and 8pm. There are fewer boats from November to March. The boat trip between Mykonos and Delos takes about 30-40 minutes, and you can buy tickets from the kiosk at the southern end of Mykonos Town harbor. When purchasing tickets, find out which return boats they’re valid for. Boat tickets are 20€ round trip, and do not include the entrance fee to Delos Island, which is 12€, paid at the site entrance. Delos Island boat schedule, pricing information, and online booking Visitors to Delos are given a map outlining three self-guided walking tours. Depending on which one you opt for, these take from 90 minutes to five hours, so it’s best to decide in advance how much time you’d like to spend on the island. You can purchase detailed Delos guidebooks both at the Delos ticket office and in bookstores on Mykonos. Guided tours can be booked at the same time as the boat tickets (adult/child 55/30€ including boat, entrance fee, and guide). Wear a hat, sunscreen, and good walking shoes. The only place to eat is a basic café at the Delos museum; it’s worth bringing a picnic lunch and plenty of drinking water. A guided tour of Delos is recommended. Without a guide it’s just a collection of ruins without much meaning or context. With a guide it’s a very interesting introduction to Greek history. Delos from Mykonos

Tickets for Delos Island can be purchased in advance online or at the ticket booth in the Mykonos Town Old Port.

Boats to Delos are small and fill quickly. In the busy summer season it’s a good idea to buy tickets first thing in the morning or in advance.

The boat trip to Delos from Mykonos takes 30-45 minutes. There is ample seating and drinks and snacks are sold onboard.

View of Delos Island when arriving by boat.

This map shows how vast and well-developed the island’s infrastructure was in ancient times.

After arriving on Delos and paying admission, you are free to explore across the entire island.

There are ruins everywhere on Delos, and few signs; it can be difficult to know exactly what you’re looking at. Taking a guided tour is recommended.

Even without a tour, it is fun and interesting to imagine the homes and buildings as they existed long ago.

Keeping watch over the island’s ruins, the famous stone lions seen here are only replicas.

The original statues are displayed and kept safe inside the island’s small museum.

In addition to the stone lions, the Delos Museum also houses original mosaics from the island…

…as well as ancient frescoes…

and artifacts from the island’s original excavation. There is no additional charge to visit the museum.

Even at its busiest, there’s plenty of room on Delos, and on the more remote parts of the island it can feel like you’ve got the whole place to yourself.

In the springtime, Delos is abloom with wildflowers. These photos were taken in the month of April.

(Yes, those statues are exactly what they appear to be. In Ancient Greece, phalluses symbolized fertility and were thought to protect against evil spirits.)

It’s important to keep track of the time, so you don’t miss the boat back to Mykonos. We don’t know what happens if you’re left behind on the island, and we don’t recommend finding out.

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About Santorini Dave

We are going to be in Mykonos the first week of October and will have a rental car to get us to the port. Should we book the tour ahead of time or just head over to the port when we get there to book a tour?

Personally, I would book in advance but could you show up without a reservation? Sure, and you’d likely be fine.

Is the Old Port walking distance from Mykonos Town? We’re staying at the Belvedere. Thanks!

Yes, the Old Port is an easy walk from all Mykonos Town hotels. From the Belvedere it’s about a 10 or 12 minute walk (assuming you don’t have luggage).

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How to Visit Delos on a Day Trip from Mykonos

One of the best perks of a trip to Mykonos is its proximity to so many beautiful islands. Luckily, the closest island to Mykonos is also one of the most interesting and beautiful: the beautiful island of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The island of Delos ticks all the boxes for a perfect day trip from Mykonos. Frequent connections by ferry, a beautiful setting, a stunning and well-preserved set of ruins: a day trip to Delos from Mykonos is as easy as it is rewarding.

While it can be hard to peel yourself away from the beautiful Mykonos beaches, I really recommend you do. Delos offers an incredible insight into ancient Greek civilization at its peak, and taking a tour of Delos reveals the hints of what life was like back in Delos’ heyday, more than 2,000 years ago.

Visiting Delos was one of the highlights of my recent trip to Greece, and I’d put Delos as one of my top 5 archaeological sites in Greece for history lovers. It’s right up there with the Acropolis, the Oracle of Delphi, and Akrotiri as must-visit sites. And since it’s only a 30-minute boat ride to Delos from Mykonos, you’d be a fool to skip it.

Getting to Delos from Mykonos

Truly, planning a day trip to Delos from Mykonos couldn’t be simpler. Boat connections leave from Mykonos Town (Chora) multiple times a day.

A ferry with Delos Tours is the most common way to get to Delos from Mykonos, and it’s what I personally did and recommend because they have phenomenal tour guides.

I did this tour with Delos Tours, and my guide, Athena, was fantastic. She’s an archaeologist and historian as well as being a guide, so she was able to bring so many of the structure to life for us and give us an insight into what clues were left behind by this ancient civilization.

To get to the port where they leave to Delos, walk to the Delos Tours ticket office at the Delos port. This is about a 10-minute walk from the Old Port, or a 5-minute walk from the restaurants on the harbor.

Alternately, if you are visiting Mykonos on a cruise, you’ll be coming from the New Port. In this case, you should take the sea bus for only two euros all the way to the Delos departure area.

The Delos to Mykonos Ferry Timetable

On Mondays , there is a ferry from Mykonos to Delos at 10 AM from May 2nd to October 31st, with a return ferry at 1:30 PM.

The Monday afternoon tour differs depending on the sunset time. From May 2nd to September 15, the ferry leaves at 5 PM and returns at 7:30 PM. From September 15 to September 30, the ferry leaves at 4:30 PM and returns at 7 PM.

From October 1 to October 14, the ferry leaves at 4 PM and comes back from Delos at 6:30 PM. From October 15 to October 31, the ferry leaves at 3:30 PM and returns at 6 PM.

On Tuesdays through Sunday , the schedule has many more options for morning tours, all between May 2nd and October 31st. There are morning departures at 9 AM, 10 AM, and 11:30 AM, with returns at noon, 1:30 PM, and 3 PM respectively.

The evening tours are staggered and follow the same timeline as the Monday afternoon tours listed above.

How far is Delos from Mykonos?

The boat to Delos to Mykonos is blissfully short. It’s only 15 kilometers, and the boat takes only 30 minutes. The ride is absolutely beautiful!

Can you stay overnight on Delos?

You cannot – Delos is strictly an archaeological site, and there are no hotels or any capacity to stay on the island overnight.

How much is the ferry from Mykonos to Delos?

The ferry costs 20 euros return, which does not include the 12 euro entrance fee, for a total of 32 euros.

I strongly recommend adding on a guide. For 50 euros, you get a return ticket, the entrance fee, and a roughly 2-hour guided tour of Delos. This is the half-day tour I booked: The Original Morning Delos Guided Tour. If you’d rather visit in the evening, you can check the Evening Tour offered by the same company.

Alternately, you can visit Delos as part of a full-day yacht sailing cruise which also includes Rhenia Island, so you can drink white wine, eat lunch, relax in the sun, swim and snorkel with the provided equipment, and enjoy a two-hour guided tour of Delos Island. This is the yacht cruise I recommend if you have the time!

What to See When You Visit Delos Archaeological Site

The Delos Archaeological Site is pretty big and spread out. Going on a tour will ensure you see all the highlights, which is why I chose to do it that way. Here are the top 5 things you should keep an eye out for when you visit.

The Temples of Apollo. There are three temples which were dedicated to Apollo, which now stand largely in ruins. The statues from these temples have been moved to the inner museum.

The Archaeological Museum of Delos : Many of the statues you’ll find in Delos have been moved inside, and replicas now stand in their place to protect the originals from Delos’ strong winds.

The Terrace of the Lions : This row of lion statues made of the finest Naxian marble is one of the most iconic sights of Delos. The originals have been moved into the museum to protect them from the elements, but replicas of the lions are placed where they originally stood for millennia.

The House of Dionysus : Best known for its beautiful mosaic floor and the remains of plaster stucco wall paintings, the House of Dionysus is a wonderful insight into the lives of the extremely wealthy who lived on Delos many millennia ago.

The Odeon. The ancient theater of Delos has been damaged quite a bit over the centuries, but it’s an impressive site nonetheless.

5 Big Mistakes People Make When They Visit Delos

Not bringing sun and wind protection. Delos is an open archaeology site, with virtually no protection from the elements. You will want to bring, at the very least, a large bottle of water, a sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. At the same time, be sure to bring some sort of sweater or windbreaker in case the wind picks up, as Delos can get incredibly windy.

Not wearing the right shoes. Delos is rocky and unpaved. Unlike Akrotiri, which has a boardwalk around the whole perimeter and through the town, you are walking outdoors on uneven terrain the entire time at Delos. I recommend walking shoes like sneakers or a really sturdy pair of sandals. I do not recommend cute flats that you don’t want to get gravel in with every other step…

Not going with a guide. While you can save some money by not going with a guide, I really don’t recommend skimping on this. Most of the interesting sites such as the Odeon and the House of Dionysus have very little information about them on placards, so you won’t really know what you are seeing.

A guide will help bring not only these important structures to life, but the everyday structures — the taverns, the houses, the fish markets, etc. – to give you the full imagining of what life on Delos would have been life.

Stepping on the marble. There are many marble blocks strewn on the ground at Delos, which is incredibly soft and porous. Do not step on the marble, as you risk damaging it and wearing it down over time.

Not eating beforehand. Delos is strictly an archaeological site, so there’s really not much in the way of infrastructure. It’s just a ticket booth, a museum shop (which was closed when I went), and a bathroom with just two stalls. Be sure to eat beforehand — you can buy snacks on the boat or grab something to eat before you leave Mykonos harbor.

Delos Tours Mentioned in the Post

For a quick list of the Delos tours I mentioned in this post, here they are:

• Delos Morning Tour
• Delos Evening Tour
• Full Day Yacht Cruise and Delos Tour

Pin This Guide to Visiting Delos from Mykonos Here

5 Things to Bring with You to Greece

If you’re planning a trip to Greece, you’ll want to pack all the normal essentials, but here are a few things we strongly recommend bringing that may not have crossed your mind. For more packing tips, check out our complete  Greece packing list.

–  A physical guidebook, in paper or on Kindle . We love  Lon ely  Planet  Greece  for this region and strongly recommend it to supplement blogs. Blogs are great, but a combination of a blog and a guidebook is key to having the best access to information easily at your fingertips.

–  A water bottle with a filter . We generally recommend using a water bottle with a purifying filter to reduce your plastic consumption and ensure you won’t drink any funny-tasting water on your stomach that could make your trip unpleasant! We recommend  the GRAYL water bottle  – it filters water perfectly in an instant so that you can even drink from lakes, bad taps, etc.

–  Motion sickness pills . Mykonos roads are winding, especially around the coast. If you have a weak stomach as we do, save yourself and bring some  non-drowsy motion sickness pills .

–  Travel safety items . We think Athens is safe to travel, but at the same time, it never hurts to be prepared! Some people like to carry  money belts , but neither Stephanie or I use these. Instead, we both carry the same  PacSafe anti-theft backpack .

It has locking zippers, slash-proof construction with metal mesh hidden in the fabric, and tons of other smart security features — all while being cute and stylish enough to be our everyday bag. We recommend it highly for both male and female travelers, as it’s neutral enough to be unisex. We also strongly recommend travel insurance! Our recommendation is at the bottom of the post.

Read More:  Essential Greece Packing List: What to Wear & Pack for Greece

More Greece Resources

First read our guide to  planning a trip to Greece , which covers visas, budgets, vaccines, and much more.

Next, you’ll want to read our all-season  Greece packing list .

If you are still trying to figure out your Greece itinerary, check out our guides on  where to go in Greece , the best places for  island hopping in Greece , and when is the  best time to visit. 

We publish new content about the Balkans almost every day! For more information about traveling to Greece and the Balkans, bookmark our  Greece  and  Balkan  travel pages so you can find out what’s new before your trip.

Don’t Forget About Travel Insurance!

I’m sure you’re aware that it’s a good idea to have  travel insurance  for traveling in Mykonos, Greece in general, or anywhere in the world!

Stephanie and I have both been paying customers of  World Nomads  for the last three years. We love the peace of mind it gives us in case of emergencies, accidents, illnesses, theft, or trip cancellation or disruption. 

While Mykonos is safe, there’s always a risk inherent in everyday travel like theft or injury, so it’s better to play it safe.

>>  Get a travel insurance quote for your trip here  <<

Originally from California, Allison has been living in Bulgaria for the last two years and is obsessed with traveling around the Balkans. She has been published in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, Matador Network, and the Huffington Post. She loves befriending dogs, drinking coffee, geeking out about wine, and cooking food from around the world.

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Visit the island of Delos from Mykonos

Just off the coast of Mykonos, the island of Delos was once one of the world’s most important cities.

Written by Michael Turtle

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle. A journalist for more than 20 years, he's been travelling the world since 2011.

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle and has been travelling full time for a decade.

Updated: December 13, 2023

Visiting Delos from Mykonos

The archaeological site of Delos is one of the most significant ancient landmarks in the Aegean Sea, and it's well worth a visit.

There's lots to see and lots to learn, so here are some of my tips for planning a visit to the island of Delos.

• A brief look at the history of Delos
• The best things to see at Delos
• How to visit Delos - plus some good Delos tours

Before Mykonos was a popular tourist island, another one just off its coast was where the rich and famous would come. They bought houses, shopped in the markets, cavorted with people from across the world.

But all of this was more than 2,000 years ago.

“Like Mykonos, Delos was the island for VIPs,” says my guide as she starts to show me around.

“It was the island of acceptance,” she explains. “Everyone was welcome – as long as they were wealthy!”

A tour to Delos is one of the most popular things to do from Mykonos these days because, of all the 2,000 Greek islands, it’s one of the most significant historically. During the time of Ancient Greece, it was the commercial and navigational centre of the Aegean Sea.

Just try to imagine all the successful merchants who came here and constructed mansions, attracting the region’s best builders and artisans. And around the port where they would’ve all arrived, luxury shops and boutiques selling perfumes and gems.

That was two millennia ago and, of course, much has changed. What you find in Delos today is not a vibrant bustling city, but a large and fascinating archaeological site stretching out from the water’s edge.

It’s a large site because the ancient city was once home to up to 30,000 people. Although none of the monumental buildings are in their original form, a lot has been excavated and it takes a few hours to walk through the highlights on a guided tour of Delos.

Is Delos worth visiting?

For visitors to Mykonos, it’s certainly worth visiting Delos. Not only does it offer something different to the beaches and the clubs of the larger island, it’s a remarkably easy half-day trip to see one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Aegean Sea. (Delos is also a World Heritage Site.)

What is Delos famous for?

Delos is famous as one of the most important cities in the Aegean Sea two millennia ago. It was a powerful commercial centre that controlled much of the economy of Ancient Greece. Delos is also said to be the island where the gods Apollo and Artemis were born, and the city built here had an important religious and mythological role in the empire.

Are there tours to Delos?

Yes, there are tours to Delos and I think it’s definitely worth taking one. Although it’s relatively easy to visit Delos independently, you’ll definitely benefit from a guide’s explanation of the site. I would recommend this Delos tour from Mykonos , or I have some more information later in the article.

It may just be a short journey by boat from Mykonos to Delos, but it’s a journey that takes you back 2,000 years, into a fascinating part of the history of Ancient Greece, and to one of Greece’s World Heritage Sites .

It’s a story that can sometimes get a bit lost on the Aegean islands, with its focus on modern tourism, so this is an excellent way to dive straight into it.

History of Delos

Delos did not start as a luxurious haven for the rich and famous. In fact, it had existed for centuries already, and this earlier period is, in many ways, much more important.

There’s evidence that people have lived on the island since the 3rd millennium BC (up to 5000 years ago!), but it was Ionian settlers who really transformed Delos when they arrived around 1000 BC.

They brought with them the cult of Leto, a female Titan who, in Greek mythology, had been impregnated by Zeus. To escape Zeus and his furious wife, Hera, Leto looked for somewhere to hide – and she found the island of Delos.

So, it was here that mythology says she gave birth to her twins: Apollo, the god of music, and Artemis, the goddess of wild animals.

Apollo, in particular, became the focus for Delos. He was one of the most important gods of Ancient Greece and, with Delos said to be his birthplace, an enormous sanctuary was built here for him.

The Sanctuary of Apollo is believed to have been founded in about the 9th century BC and it attracted worshippers from across the region and beyond.

With all these pilgrims coming to Delos, you can understand why commerce also grew on the island and it continued to be an important trading port in the region.

But, with such a strong economic and religious position, Delos also became a target for people with political power. The most consequential example is when the island fell under the control of the Athenians.

They undertook a series of ‘purifications’ to make the site more holy, by digging up all graves and moving dead bodies to another island, and then later forbidding anyone from being born or dying on Delos!

Throughout the first millennium BC, there were constant political and religious shifts at Delos.

The Athenians deported all the locals from Delos in 422 BC, for instance. Then the island became independent again in 314 BC. Then the Romans took it over in 166 BC and made it a free port. And so on…

It would take a whole article to cover the details of the history of Delos. But the important thing is to know that just as the worship of Apollo was a defining factor in the growth of the island, so was the money and power that it brought.

Towards the end of the first millennium BC, Delos had become the most important trading centre in Greece. But then it all came crashing down.

Delos was attacked and sacked in 69 BC by the pirates of Athenodoros. Then the trading routes changed and the island was no longer convenient.

It was quickly abandoned by those who were here for just the money and power. Only a few people remained to look after the temples to Apollo… but even the guardians eventually left as the Roman era took hold.

In the years afterwards, there’s evidence that people came and went, and Delos was inhabited by different people over different periods.

But it was eventually completely abandoned in the 6th century AD. Captured by the Byzantines, then the Slavs, then the Venetians, then the Ottomans, these successive occupiers took the stones that had once formed majestic temples and opulent houses.

It wasn’t until archaeological work started here in 1872, that the site began to regain some of its dignity, and the treasures of Delos were again unearthed.

Things to see at Delos

The island of Delos is actually pretty small – a maximum of only about five kilometres long and 1.3 kilometres wide, with an area of 3.4 square kilometres (exactly the same size as New York’s Central Park).

Most of the island is barren, though. The archaeological site is in the northwest of Delos and the main attractions are concentrated in this area, where the centre of the city would’ve been.

There are lots of things to see at Delos. You’ll discover most of them if you wander in the same direction as everyone else, but these are the main Delos sights to look out for (in the order you’ll likely come to them).

Agora of the Competaliasts

There are a few different market areas in the city and I’m mentioning this one because it’s the first you’ll come to, located right on the water where the boat from Mykonos to Delos arrives.

Around the edges of the agora (market) are the remains of shops that would’ve ben based here, while holes in the stones on the ground show where tents would’ve been erected for temporary stalls.

There are also the remains of monuments that were dedicated to the god Hermes.

Sanctuary of Apollo

From the Agora of the Competaliasts, you’ll walk down a paved road called the Sacred Way until you reach the Propylaea, which was once part of the Temple of Apollo.

The area beyond this is known as the Sanctuary of Apollo, and it’s where you’ll find the remains of many of the temples on Delos that were built by different people over the centuries.

The Oikos of the Naxians would once have had a nine-metre-high statue of Apollo in it.

Next to it, the Temple of the Delians was the biggest of the temples here, construction starting in 476 BC.

Next, you’ll see Poros Temple, the smallest and oldest of the Apollo temples, built in the 6th century BC.

And, on the other side of the path, is the Temple of Artemis, dedicated to the twin sister of Apollo who was also said to have been born here.

Terrace of the Lions

Beyond the sanctuary, past the Agora of the Italians, is one of the most important sights in Delos – the Terrace of the Lions.

These marble statues of squatting lions lined one side of the avenue, looking out towards the Sacred Lake. Added by the people of Naxos around 600 BC, the lions were supposed to protect the sanctuary.

There were originally between 9 to 12 of the lions here (nobody knows for sure), but now there are only four complete ones left. The ones in position on the avenue are replicas, with the originals in the Delos Archaeological Museum for protection.

Sacred Lake

Across from the Terrace of the Lions, the Sacred Lake is not much to look at these days, but it’s one of the most significant parts of the Archaeological Site of Delos.

It’s here that Leto is said to have given birth to Apollo and Artemis, and was an important part of the worship that took place on the island.

The lake was drained in 1925 to stop the breeding of mosquitos that were carrying malaria.

Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum at Delos is well worth a stop and is included in the price of the entrance ticket. While it’s not particularly large, it displays some of the important artefacts that have been found at the site.

There are frescoes and mosaics, along with busts and other sculptures. But the highlight is the marble statues of the lions that once lined the Terrace of the Lions.

The museum is closed until further notice for renovation work.

House of Dionysus

From the museum, a good path to follow is back to the port and then south, into a neighbourhood full of grand houses (well, the remains of them, at least).

You can walk into some of them, and just peer into others. If they’re open, definitely have a look at the House of Cleopatra and the House of the Trident .

The most impressive residence to visit is the House of Dionysos, with a central courtyard containing marble columns and a large mosaic on the floor. An intricate artwork, it shows Dionysus, the god of wine, riding on a tiger.

Ancient Theatre of Delos

Because of the religious and economic importance of Delos, the city’s theatre can feel a bit neglected – by both tourists and authorities – and it looks a bit rundown unfortunately.

It was built in the 3rd century BC and had room for about 5000 spectators. It’s not nearly as imposing as the Epidaurus Theatre , for example, but it still gives you a sense of the wealth of the settlement here.

Mount Kynthos

Along with all the structures within the archaeological site (and there are many more than I have mentioned), there’s one natural landmark worth noting – Mount Kynthos.

It’s only about 120 metres high so you can walk to the top for a spectacular view across the layout of Delos and the surrounding water. There were probably some buildings on the top during Antiquity, but they’re gone now.

One thing you can see on the way up is the Temple of Isis , which is quite prominent because it’s facade is relatively intact with columns and a pediment.

How to visit Delos

Delos is less than three kilometres off the coast of Mykonos and the only way to reach it is by boat. Thankfully it’s a popular destination so it’s easy to get there and there are a few ways to do it.

It’s possible to visit Delos independently – or you can do it as a tour. I’ll run through both options now, but my recommendation is to do a tour. The site needs a lot of interpretation from a guide and this Delos tour , for example, doesn’t cost that much more than paying for transport and entry fees yourself.

Another bit of important advice – make sure you bring lots of water and sun protection! You’ll be out in the fierce sun for hours, and there are only very limited opportunities to buy drinks.

Visiting Delos independently

There are a few steps for visiting Delos from Mykonos. The first is to get to the Old Port of Mykonos, from where the boats to the island leave.

There are several boat companies that do trips to the island, and you may see advertisements around town for them. If you’re unsure which to choose I would recommend going with the main operator (which also has the biggest boats) called Delos Tours , which leaves from the southwestern point of the Old Port, near the Town Hall.

Check online for current boat departure times, but it’s usually at 10:00 and 11:30… with return departures at 13:30 and 15:00. To guarantee a spot and avoid the queue (it gets pretty busy in summer) you can buy your ticket here in advance .

The boat trip to Delos takes about 30 mins. Once you arrive, you’ll need to buy a ticket to enter the archaeological site, which costs €12 regular and €6 concession. The queue at the ticket office gets long when the boat arrives, with a wait of up to 15 minutes or more, so I suggest trying to get off the boat before as many people as possible.

You will then have about three hours to explore the site before the return boat leaves, taking you back to where it departed from.

Where is Delos?

The island of Delos is just 2.5 kilometres off the coast of Mykonos, and less than a kilometre from the island of Rhenia, in the centre of Greece’s Aegean Sea. The archaeological site of Delos is in the northwestern part of the island.

How do you get to Delos?

Most people will get to Delos from Mykonos, and it’s about 10 kilometres to get from port to port. Private boats can’t land at Delos so you need to go with a local operator. There are lots of tours to Delos that include transport. If you just want the boat transfer, I would recommend booking in advance here .

When is Delos open?

In summer, Delos is open from 08:00 – 20:00. In winter, the site is open from 08:30 – 15:00. Remember, though, your visiting hours will probably be determined by the boat schedule.

How much does it cost to visit Delos?

Entry to Delos costs €12 for a regular ticket and €6 for concession. The cost of the boat transfer is extra. (Depending on which operator you choose, it’ll be around €20-25 for a return trip.)

Yes, there are lots of tours to Delos and I think it’s a really good way to see the site. It doesn’t cost too much more, because the price includes the boat and entry – and it’ll really help you interpret the ruins. I’ve got details on a few options below, but the standard one that many people take is this Delos tour from Mykonos , which includes transport and a guide.

Often there are local guides waiting at the entrance, offering to take you on tours of the site. Generally, you’ll need to negotiate a price with them.

This can be a good option if you want a private tour on your own terms, but it usually doesn’t end up being much cheaper than going with an organised tour from Mykonos (unless you’re in a large group already).

Tours to Delos

I don’t always think tours are necessary when travelling, but this is one of those situations where I really would recommend having a guide.

Not only does a guided tour to Delos make the logistics much easier, but the guide’s commentary will really add to your visit. All the buildings are in ruins and it makes a big difference to have someone explaining it all.

The best value tour, which has everything you need, is this half-day guided tour . It includes the return boat ride, skip-the-line entrance ticket, and guide.

Or there are a few other similar options here:

Another fun way to visit Delos by tour is to do a boat cruise that also goes to nearby Rhenia island, perhaps includes some swimming and lunch.

Let’s be honest, the archaeological ruins at Delos are really interesting, but if you can combine it with a dip in the ocean and a trip on a sailboat, it makes for a much more enjoyable day out!

I would recommend this sailing trip to Delos and Rhenia , or there are some other options here:

It’s interesting to travel from Mykonos to Delos, because in just a short boat journey you will go from one of the most luxurious Greek islands today, to one of the most luxurious Greek islands of the Ancient World.

Are the parallels between the two? In some ways, yes. Of course they look very different now, though. But it does make you wonder what the vibrant tourism centres of Mykonos may look like in 2000 years time!

This site is on the UNESCO World Heritage List ! I'm on a mission to visit as many World Heritage Sites as I can. Only about 800 more to go... eek!

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1 thought on “Visit the island of Delos from Mykonos”

Greece is amazing! We did not go to Delos though…but saw Mikonos, Santorin and Rhodes. Expensive, but beautiful. I hope I may share our story here? https://www.twoguysabroad.com/greece/ Thanks 😉 Donovan

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Delos - mykonos.

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BOAT TICKETS to DELOS

With guided tour or audio tour.

Please fill in all the fields and click " Book". If you have any question about your reservation please do not hesitate to leave your comment in the field " Message" .

Important note:  In your confirmation email, you will receive a form to fill in and sign detailing our wireless tour guide system safe use and return policy. You need to sign it and return it to  [email protected]  at least 24 hours before your tour starts.

Booking Form

The schedules below may be subject to change, depending on weather conditions.

We therefore kindly ask you to check the timetables again shortly before your travel dates.

  D aily Tours and Excursions to Delos from Mykonos Old port.

Important notice:  , delos site will remain closed from december 2023 till the end of march 2024..

Delos site remains closed  on 5th  and 7th May, 2024.

  Τickets can be used for any itinerary of the vessels of

"Joint- Venture of Passenger Vessels of Mykonos-Delos".

Half-Day Guided Tours to Delos, 2024.

Price:: 65 ,00 €.

Children 6-12 years old: 30,00€.

Children under  6 years old for free.  

The price includes: 

• The whole trip and guide from Mykonos to Delos
• Transportation from Mykonos to Delos and back
• Entrance to the archaeological site in Delos (CURRENTLY, €8,00, per person)
• Certified  tourist guide 
• Wireless tour guide system
• Skip the line at the entrance of Delos site

Kindly pay attention on the days of operation per language: 

• English : Daily at 10:00 am (from (from 05/04) & at 17:00 pm  (from 01/05)
• French : Sunday & Thursday at 10:00 am   from 09/04
• German : Available only as private tour, 
• Italian : Wednesday at 11:30am,  (from 15/05)
• Spanish : Tuesday at 10:00 am  (from 14/05)

Minimum participation, 8 pax.

                         On your phone 

*important notice*,  rates are subject to change due to anticipated fuel and admission fee increments..

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